State Considers Ban on Food Additives Linked to ADHD

Maryland may become the first state to require specific labeling for foods that include additives linked to ADHD.

by
ADDitude Editors

Maryland has introduced two bills that would require labeling on all food that contains coloring additives believed to cause attention deficit disorder (ADHD), with an outright ban to follow by 2010. The bill was prompted by two recent British studies that linked certain food colorings to hyperactivity and related
behavioral problems in children.

If the Maryland food additive labeling bill passes, foods containing ADHD-linked additives, such as the artificial colors added to many processed foods, will include the following
label: Warning: The color additives in this food may cause hyperactivity and behavior problems in some children.